Who we are

Big Brother Watch work to ensure that those who fail to respect our privacy, undermine our online security, or fail to protect our personal data, are held to account.

We campaign on behalf of the individual to ensure your privacy and civil liberties are maintained in the digital age by government, public authorities and businesses.

Founded in 2009, Big Brother Watch produces unique research exposing the misuse of powers, informative factsheets explaining complex laws, and briefings for parliament, the press and the public.

Silkie Carlo

Silkie is our Director. Before joining Big Brother Watch, she was the Senior Advocacy Officer at Liberty where she led a programme on Technology and Human Rights and launched a legal challenge to the Investigatory Powers Act. She previously worked for Edward Snowden’s official defence fund and whistleblowers at risk.

She is a passionate campaigner for the protection of liberties, particularly in the context of new and emerging technologies. She has worked to uphold rights in the fields of state surveillance, policing technologies, big data, artificial intelligence and free expression online. Silkie is also an information security trainer and organises Cryptoparty London. She is the co-author of Information Security for Journalists.

Jennifer Krueckeberg

Jennifer is our Lead Researcher. She joined Big Brother Watch in July 2017 and is responsible for our unique Freedom of Information reports.

She studied social anthropology at the University of Cologne and Keio University before undertaking postgraduate studies at Goldsmiths, where she researched the influence of digital media on political expression and national identity in the Ivorian blogosphere.

Jennifer is particularly interested in the impact surveillance technologies have on society and our everyday lives.

Griff Ferris

Griff is our Legal and Policy Officer. He joined Big Brother Watch in July 2017.

He studied law at the University of Bristol and LSE, focusing on human rights, counter-terrorism and media law. Prior to joining Big Brother Watch Griff worked as a paralegal, volunteered for Reprieve and Liberty, and took on cases for the Free Representation Unit in the First-tier Tribunal. He has also previously volunteered for the Lambeth Law Centre and at Toynbee Hall’s free legal advice clinic, giving legal advice and assistance to the local communities.

Griff’s areas of interest are infringements of human rights and the erosion of civil liberties by the state and the police.